We hear a lot about patients' rights. Everyone's right to access to healthcare is protected by the Constitution of our country. The National Department of Health took the rights of the patient further than merely access to healthcare. The Patients' Rights Charter has set standards for healthcare since 1999. In addition, the Patients' Rights Charter was adapted by the SA Pharmacy Council to be a Charter of Patients' Rights in the Pharmacy.

This article will examine the Department of Health's Charter, and in each case will give a few examples from the pharmacy. There are obviously going to be more opportunities to fulfil the patients' rights, so you are welcome to send your suggestions to the editor.

The common cold and influenza are respiratory illnesses. However, they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Colds are usually milder than the flu and people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense.

A blocked, "stuffy" nose is not considered to be a serious condition. However, it has a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of both the parent and child. Infants with blocked noses struggle to breathe while feeding, and young children are unable to blow their noses properly to ease their discomfort. Infants and children with a blocked nose have difficulty sleeping at night too. Parents often seek help on how to clear their child's nose. The focus of this article is how to ease the discomfort of a blocked nose in a child until the condition resolves.

Magnesium is a chemical element used by every organ in the body, especially the brain, skeletal muscles and the heart. It functions as a cofactor in approximately 600 enzyme systems that regulate many different biochemical reactions, including aerobic and anaerobic energy production, protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is instrumental in combating fatigue and energy loss, and is essential for optimal physical and mental performance.

Fever blisters, also known as cold sores or herpes labialis, are small, painful, fluid filled, and appear in groups on the lips and around the mouth. They form into scabs over a few days, and usually heal any time between several days and two weeks. Fever blisters are caused by a virus which is not completely eliminated by the body's defenses. Thus, they often recur.

Several eye drops are available without prescription. It is important to understand the role of the active ingredients included in over-the-counter (OTC) eye products before recommending an eye drop. In addition, it is also important to understand the basics of common eye conditions and to know when to refer the patient to the doctor for further investigation.

Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach refluxes back up the oesophagus. It is described as a burning sensation, felt in the centre of the chest behind the breastbone, moving up toward the throat and neck. It is the most common symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), together with the regurgitation of stomach acid. GORD is defined on the basis of troublesome symptoms and/or physical damage resulting from gastro-oesophageal reflux, also called acid reflux.